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Odds and Ends: Kawakami, Max Ramirez, Lowell

By Tim Dierkes [December 12, 2008 at 2:44pm CST]

Links for Friday...

Mets owner Fred Wilpon lost some dough.
The Red Sox expressed interest in Kenshin Kawakami yesterday. Michael Silverman says Kawakami is expected to choose a team and sign in January (the Orioles are also interested).
John Perrotto says the Marlins like Max Ramirez and are willing to trade pitching prospect Ryan Tucker.
Bernie Williams will play winter ball in preparation for the World Baseball Classic.
Paul Sullivan says Cubs manager Lou Piniella was upset at the thought of losing Mark DeRosa.
Rany Jazayerli weighs in on the Royals' signing of Kyle Farnsworth. Joe Posnanski talks about Farnsworth and many other topics.
Andrew Baggarly says the Giants are not interested in Mike Lowell.
Bob Elliott says the Blue Jays had an agreement to pay the Braves to take Everth Cabrera seventh in the Rule 5 draft, but the Padres picked him third.

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Comments

Salty for Tucker. DO THIS NOW. I am a big fan of Tucker, was hoping they would do that at last years deadline.

Posted by: kinsler5 | December 12, 2008 at 02:48 PM

Saltamacchia for Tucker works for both sides, although I would prefer we get Max Ramirez. Still, I'd be happy to land either one in this deal.

Posted by: m26555 | December 12, 2008 at 02:51 PM

I made a mistake, I wrote Salty and Perrotto actually said Ramirez. I changed it.

Posted by: Tim Dierkes | December 12, 2008 at 03:01 PM

Tim,

Even better. If they don't do this.......

Posted by: kinsler5 | December 12, 2008 at 03:05 PM

Good. I think Ramirez's ceiling is much higher than Salty's.

Posted by: m26555 | December 12, 2008 at 03:15 PM

Giants don't need Lowell...Little $$$ is playing 3B this season...

Posted by: 55saveslives | December 12, 2008 at 03:16 PM

Who is this Tucker guy ? Does he even compare to the guys Boston was offering for Teagarden ?

I just have never heard about him, and this guy spent half his time as a reliever, so whats the deal ?

Posted by: BaseBallz | December 12, 2008 at 03:21 PM

m26555,

I think you're right. Just preference whether you want the upside + risk.

Posted by: kinsler5 | December 12, 2008 at 03:22 PM

BaseBallz,

Last year BA had him Fla's #3 prospect, I haven't seen this years rankings. Rated best fastball in the organization last 3 years ahead of Volstad, Josh Johnson, Olsen(in '06 when he was throwing 96). Just turned 22.

Posted by: kinsler5 | December 12, 2008 at 03:24 PM

Curious... why are you guys so high on Tucker. His stats show that he's a homer machine (coughing them up, that is).

Please explain why we should give away Salty for this dude from Burbank.

Posted by: J the Dizzolla | December 12, 2008 at 03:28 PM

1.I love Lowell
2.If we were to sign tex, and have to trade Lowell, no matter when or where he goes, the sox will most likely be picking up a large chunk of his $$ owed soo why wouldnt a team like the giants want lowell if he was healthy and only had to pay $4-6mil..?

Posted by: GoSoX | December 12, 2008 at 03:29 PM

Ryan Tucker is a very talented young pitcher. He throws GAS and has good mound presence. A lot of people think he projects as a closer down the line.

Posted by: m26555 | December 12, 2008 at 03:31 PM

get this done.

florida usually has good arms, and this kid looks no different.

also - he could be ready by next year or 2010, which is the rangers plan. sounds like a good deal to me for the rangers.

Posted by: tmoney352 | December 12, 2008 at 03:39 PM

Come on Theo we have to get one of those Texas catchers before they are all snatched up and texas doesnt want to trade anymore

Posted by: Larsen101 | December 12, 2008 at 03:44 PM

Rangers fans, things to consider about Tucker: He does throw gas, but he only has a decent change up and no real third pitch, so many project him long term in the bullpen. Also, Max Ramirez is the sort of right handed power hitter the team needs in its lefty dominant lineup. And finally, Max looked capable of playing C in his time in the big leagues, so writing him off as a C seems premature. If I am the Rangers GM, I ask for Tucker and Renyel Pinto, because the team needs another lefty in the bullpen.

Posted by: clark | December 12, 2008 at 03:46 PM

From BP:

"8. Ryan Tucker, RHP
DOB: 12/6/86
Height/Weight: 6-2/190
Bats/Throws: R/R
Drafted/Signed: 1st round, 2005, Temple City HS (CA)
2008 Stats: 1.58 ERA at Double-A (91-64-37-74), 2.32 DERA; 8.27 ERA at MLB (37-46-23-28), 7.86 DERA
Last Year's Ranking: 7

Year in Review: Owner of the best pure arm in the system, Tucker got off to a tremendous start at Double-A, but struggled in the majors both starting and relieving before returning to the Southern League to finish the year.
The Good: Tucker can certainly bring it, with a fastball that sits between 92-95 mph and can touch 97. His arm action is clean and his mechanics are sound. He's an intense competitor who backs down from no challenge, and who was not overwhelmed in any way by his big-league experience or his struggles there.
The Bad: Tucker is a bit of a one-trick pony, or, as the old scouting joke goes, he pitches off his fastball to set up his fastball. He has a changeup that flashes as plus at times, but it's inconsistent, and he's struggled throughout his career to find a dependable breaking ball, finally settling on a slider than tends to flatten and sweep.
Fun Fact: Batters facing Tucker with runners in scoring position and two outs went just 5-for-50 (.100) against him in Double-A, but big leaguers in the same situation hit .353 with a .500 on-base percentage.
Perfect World Projection: If he can find a way to expand his arsenal, Tucker has the mechanics and durability to be a good big-league starter.
Glass Half Empty: Just put him in the bullpen, and stop trying to make him something he's not.
Path To The Big Leagues: I don't know how many ways I can say this: young talent always has a chance with the Marlins.
Timetable: The Marlins sent a signal when Tucker remained in the bullpen following his return to Carolina, and he'll compete for a relief role in spring training, but more likely he'll begin the year at Triple-A."

Posted by: CubbyFan23 | December 12, 2008 at 03:52 PM

Most likely he will work in to a 7th/8th inning guy in texas and once he proves he can handle it will have the chance to compete for closer.

Max is a catcher but with the depth that the rangers had he was used a little at 1B. I think he is a better defensive catcher than Salty.

But IMHO Teagarden is the Class of the Rangers backstops. Which is why the the Rangers want Bucholz.

Posted by: Bleacher_Buddha | December 12, 2008 at 03:59 PM

This deal would close the door on any acquisition of a C by the Red Sox. Both evil empires might be going into the season with serious catching issues. As an Indians fan, I'm hoping Varitec and Posada go down early so the bidding war for Shoppach can begin as soon as possible.

Posted by: MickS | December 12, 2008 at 04:14 PM

...of a Texas C by the Red Sox...I should have said.

Posted by: MickS | December 12, 2008 at 04:15 PM

tucker has a live, live fastball. it dips, it drive, it cut, it is amazing and has a plus change-up, but he lack control(like i said a live fastball) that why his ML stats are bad, he give up too much walks (23walks/28SO in 37inn), and tried to work out of a jam a lot(1.8 WHIP). he has a lot of potential, as a closer or starter. I think he do fine in Texas, because i think a live fastball leads to groundballs. Remember as a starter, he had 12 starter in AA with a low 1.00 era.

anyways, for whomever didn;t know who he is, that because marlins prospects are publicize as the red sox's(ESPN-biased)
How about Max-Ram?
Does he have a strong arm?
Is he a good defensive catcher?
I Know he can hit

But i rather have salty, he from palm beach, and i live close to palm beach

Posted by: marlinsman1120 | December 12, 2008 at 04:17 PM

If he's projected as a bullpen guy, you gotta get another pitcher with him for Max. Too risky.

Posted by: J the Dizzolla | December 12, 2008 at 04:19 PM

A lot of scouts don't think Max can stick behind the plate. There are those who question Saltalamacchia's future behind the dish too. Texas would be smart to trade one of the two and hang onto Teagarden.

Posted by: MickS | December 12, 2008 at 04:29 PM

I think Tucker should start and if that doesn't work 8th or 9th inning guy.

Posted by: kinsler5 | December 12, 2008 at 04:56 PM

rangers fans... how would you like Jose Guillen, Billy Butler and John Buck for the SALTY MAN... even if we were to eat some of jose's contract. how does that sound...no?

Posted by: zac_keller | December 12, 2008 at 05:52 PM

tucker is to small... he'll get hurt

Posted by: zac_keller | December 12, 2008 at 05:55 PM

Wasn't Tucker one of the players that held up the Marlins' Man-Ram deal this season?

If so, the Fish are high on the guy and there's no way they'll move him + Pinto for Max.

Posted by: breakz | December 12, 2008 at 06:03 PM

breakz, no tucker was one of the prospects, but it was Mike Stanton that held up the deal.

Posted by: marlinsman1120 | December 12, 2008 at 06:31 PM

"rangers fans... how would you like Jose Guillen, Billy Butler and John Buck for the SALTY MAN... even if we were to eat some of jose's contract. how does that sound...no?"

lol.. theres no room for butler, they have like 55 options at 1st..

but theres no way JD would take that, theres no pitching and its alot of money for them

Posted by: 661dodgerblue | December 12, 2008 at 07:17 PM

"rangers fans... how would you like Jose Guillen, Billy Butler and John Buck for the SALTY MAN... even if we were to eat some of jose's contract. how does that sound...no?"

Yeah, and while we are at it, why don't the Rangers and Royals just switch their entire rosters. Both teams have similar philosophies and free agent tendencies, and are headed nowhere! Plus John Daniels and Dayton Moore are both morons.

Posted by: JJSchwertner9 | December 12, 2008 at 11:59 PM

Odds and Ends: Kawakami, Max Ramirez, Lowell

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